To get a government without the haredim. Everybody must get at least a proper basic education and serve in the armed forces.This way we will be a wealthier and more united society.We will probably also then get a prime minister with some backbone and not a vote purchasing wimp who only perpetuates the situation. Bibi is out of touch and should be out of office. The times are a changing.

Bob Menzies ,

Haifa, Israel

(02.05.13)

2. Time to kick out Shas

Haim ,

TA

(02.05.13)

3. Why sticking on Livni is beyond me to understand.

Livni's representatives demanded that the next government advance the peace negotiations and that Livni be placed in charge of the negotiations on the government's behalf,you say.
What good for Israel will come out by Livni being in charge of "piece negotiations"?
Why in earth such a person would be in such a position?Why would Netanyahu desire such a bad thing?
Not her nor Lapid should be in such a position.
Pehaps Feiglin ...
Livni should be let in her beloved opposition with her 6 seats.
Benett is not against haredim.Haredim should keep being part of coalision together with Benett and Lapid.Benett would be a good mediator between Lapid and Shas in order to find a good solution about yeshivot funding issue and army draft.
The advancement of "piece process" should be a non issue in the next term.
Let it wait...

Keren ,

IL-BR

(02.05.13)

4. "Gulf of Tonkin" stunt in Syria didn't work, invasion is off

...and Netanyahu can't use another war to further his political objectives, to stay in power, grab more land, bury the settlement issue, and kill peace.

Lapid cannot be trusted. The moment Lapid found it advantageous to his own (read not nation's) interest, he would bring the government down. If Lapid does not learn how to compromise he can remain in opposition with Meretz, Labor and the Arab parties. When the next election comes he will be forgotten like his Father's party was.
Remember Shinnui?

Chaim Ben Kahan ,

Efrat, Israel

(02.05.13)

6. Hi Attila

Lapid is too green and indeed not smart. He got a following -that's all.
What really disgusts me is Bibi reaching out to Geveret Leave-Knee!!
Why his disgust and/or fear for the religious??? (Just like you). I know that some are an extremely disgusting people, but all in all they are pro Israel. Bibi was in love with Leave-Knee for years. He was trying to reach out to her since time immemorial. He also loved Barak. Bibi loves everyone except the religious. Bibi is not smart either. I can see Iranians at the doorsteps of Al Kutz very shortly.

Israeli 2

(02.05.13)

7. Natanyahu is in a jam?

Why does Somfalvi consider Natanyahu to be "in a jam"?
The final composition of the coalition has been pretty clear since the day after the elections.
Yesh Atid, Ha Bayit Hayehudi, Shas and The Movement (Livni).
Noise about offering Livni a bigger than deserved stake in the new government is just to get Lapid to toe the line.
Sad that Somfalvi and others of his ilk always write based on what they'd like to see rather than on the reality of situations.
Rather boring really!

michael redbourn ,

Arad Israel

(02.05.13)

8. I voted Lapid and now I see..

Indeed. He lacks maturity. A mature person knows that change comes from with in. In order for Haredim to go to the army he has to get in there and change it from with in. Compromise, to an extent, is needed here in order for him to further our agenda. It is a great lacking on his part to not see this. This is not a situation where he can show extreme immaturity and say "my way or no way!" He must show that he can lead if he really wants a future in this arena.

lildoobird ,

Jerusalem

(02.05.13)

9. Netanyahu will do what is best for Netanyahu

If dumping the whackjobs is good for Netanyahu he will dump the whackjobs.
My feeling though is that he will want his government to be the broadest possible, as Israel will have to agree to a two state solution or face political isolation, and probably sanctions.

Sarah B ,

Tel Aviv/London

(02.05.13)

10. # 9

..................and Sara.

Philip ,

Afula, Israel

(02.05.13)

11. #9 and #10

The president of Iran who is pursuing nukes and openly declared his desire to destroy Israel is visiting Egypt, a powerful country run by the Jew-hating Jihadist Brotherhood.
What will they talk about? Maybe Iranian food and energy for the starving Egyptian people in exchange for breaking Obama's anti-Iran sanctions, forward bases in Sinai and Egyptian army cover for Jihad?
Do you really think Netanyahu is worried about what is "best for Netanyahu"? Or do you think he is concerned with averting genocide?

israel israeli ,

tel aviv

(02.05.13)

12. Israel Israeli

King Bibi, like another King before him, believes "L'Etat c'est Moi". So anything that is good for Netanyahu is, by definiition, good for the State.

Michael ,

Haifa

(02.05.13)

13. Bibi is weak as usual

Bibi will pass into hsitory as barking dog without teeth. He will keep the haredim cause he is afraid of the rising stars of Lapid & Bennett.So the general public who voted for a big cange will be one more time derobbed of its hopes and will , by the shas crooks.What happened on the outside with the failed gaza aborted operation will repeat on the inside with the failed change. Another missed chance to win, another abortion.

Philippe ,

Raanana

(02.05.13)

14. Offer Labor Socioeconomic Portfolios

A labour faction of seven ought be offered socioeconomic portfolios and the smug conceited Lapid go to the opposition for two years.If Iran continues its Belligerence Habayit Hayehudi oughtbe brought in.

Zecharia

(02.05.13)

15. The point that Attila has ignored

Most Sephardim vote for Likud and a lessor number for Shas.
And many (not all, but most) of those Sephardim that vote for Likud have a soft spot for Shas for cultural,traditional and religious reasons.
If it were not for the fact that they wanted Bibi as Prime Minster they would happily have voted Shas.
The respect accorded to Rav Ovadia by a very wide strata of Sephardim is simply not appreciated and recognised by the many who oppose Shas. All those traditional Sephardim (and thats most of them) who go to a Beit Kenesset will be using a Rav Ovadia prayer book and will listen to a Rabbi expound a Rav Ovadia Halacha.
Netanyahu knows this too.
But many of the repondants and Attila seem to be blind to this.
I wonder why?

S Judah ,

Jerusalem

(02.05.13)

16. A government without religious will be established.

Bibi will not tolerate the risk of a civil war in Israel. He wants a place for himself on the positive side of history. Lieberman will advise Bibi to drop Shas and go with Lapid and Bennett. Together, they will make Bibi an offer which he will not refuse.

Michael ,

California, USA

(02.06.13)

17. 19 But - Bennet's party is Religious

It is the old NRP - they are all Shabbat Observers and Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed of the Beit El Yeshiva is a mentor to several of its MK's.
You don't know much about Israel and it's constituancy. At the back of Bennets head is a Kippa, don't just look at the front.

S Judah ,

Jerusalem

(02.06.13)

18. #17, Kipot Srugot are fine, we love them all.

You are correct, the term "religious" was narrowly used for Haredim by me, which was an imperfection. But you got the meaning.

Michael ,

California, USA

(02.06.13)

19. its not in the national interest to have Lapid in government

If Bibi chose Lapid then he is setting himself up for a fall.
The religious parties have no ambition but Lapid does and he makes no secret of the fact his ambition is to be next PM.
Lapid is demanding all the ministries he is going to need to do all the things the left & centre want and even with just a few of those ministries he is going to have the potential to set himself up into a position where he can win the next election.
He will be constantly be at odds with Bibi as he tries to get everything his own way constantly threatening to bring down the government.
If he sees an opportunity where he thinks he could win elections if held at a certain moment then he will pull out. and bring down the government for a seemingly justifiable reason.
Lapid is going to spend this entire term in office trying to lay the groundwork to win the next election and will neglect the countries best interest.
A coalition with Bennet, the religious, Livni and Mofaz will give Bibi a comfortable 69 seats.
Bennet will act as a good go between with the haredi and Livni will be his secular ally.
Given the options available I think in this case a coalition with the religious rather than Lapid is best for the country because its in the national interest to have a constant power struggle going on between Bibi & Lapid its just going to lead to the unstable government & early elections.
Keep Lapid out Bibi can win the next election but bring him in and allow him to say look what I did then Lapid may well be the next PM.

zionist forever

(02.06.13)

20. Keep out wackos who want to trim Israel's waist to 9 miles.

The really important thing is to keep wackos, who want to trim Israel's waist to 9 miles, out of the government. That means leftists. Israel has already suffered tens of thousands of maimed and murdered civilians thanks to leftist lunacy. Enough is enough!

Chaim ,

Israel

(02.06.13)

21. to 13

Actually,Philippe, the fact, that Natanyahu has served 2 terms as PM and was voted and elected for his 3rd , speaks for itself...
You have no reason to call him weak or a"barking dog"..Nobody can represent Israel on a diplomatic front around the world, as Natanyahu does...He never promissed, what he can't delvered and delivered what he promissed...He kept Israel safe, economy is good so far under his Leadership..What is uncertain now, is what Lapid and Benet are capable of.. It remains to be seen, how brightly your "rising star" will shine... Right now he is still full of "palavra","tzhokim" and "haflot"...
Bibi's reputation and honor, percedes him, wherever he goes..Too bad, that shmendricks like you, have the chutzpah and stupidity to badmouth a Leader, who dedicated his life, so you could have the right and the freedom to complain and badmouth him:(lekater v'lelachlech)....

Jennie ,

Israel/US

(02.07.13)

22. to 13

What is it, you are bickering about, Philippe ? In the long line of Israeli PM's, Bibi is in line with the best..When necessary, he shows strenghts and "teeth", as well as character and determination, keeping Israel safe during all the years of his leadership..Which is more, then any leftist candidate would be able to achieve..And People did "speak", when they voted for Bibi again, during the most recent elections, for the 3rd. term...
This"barking dog" has more "teeth", then our enemies want to know... it takes a real Leader to know, when to lead with brains and when to "bite, Philippe..